However, how does one inspire others?

Here are some simple ways you can use to inspire people to be their best:

Be a good example: People watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. Be someone worth emulating.

Care about others: People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Ask questions. Take a genuine interest in people.

Encourage others: Everyone goes through tough times. When you support people and encourage them through these times, you’ll be inspiring them to see the best in themselves and in the situation.

Be inspired yourself: Look for people, ideas, environments and knowledge that you find inspiring and motivating.

Share from your own experience: You have more to share than you realize. Mine the rich experiences of your life and share your wisdom from your unique point of view. You may be the only one who can touch someone with your inspiring message.

Be vulnerable: Be willing to share your failures as well as your successes. Others will relate to you. They’ll understand that they’re not the only ones with challenges.

Tell stories: Facts tell and stories sell. They inspire, too. We learn best from parables and we all need to develop our own inspiring stories.

Be a good communicator: Increasing your ability to communicate effectively is a critical element for you to inspire others. Watch how you speak and what you say. Invest in your communication skills.

Challenge people: Many of us have had teachers who at times seemed more like tormentors than mentors. They challenged us to do our best, and we were better for it. Practice “care-frontation”. This means caring confrontation of others. Put care in front and life becomes much simpler!

However, if we are talking a majority of the time, there are practices we can do to shift the balance toward listening more. The first thing is to notice ourselves talking and not listening. With this awareness, a number of options become possible. First of all, we now have the choice to decide to stop talking. There are many ways to accomplish this. We can ask questions such as:

“What are your views?”

“What’s on your mind?”

“I’m interested in your thoughts on the matter. Please say more.”

There are additional ways for passing conversations over to others as well. Smiling or nodding encourages others to talk. A simple statement like, “I have been doing most of the talking; I’ll stop now and listen.” Is a direct invitation for others to speak. The possibilities for gracefully shifting from speaking to listening are limitless. Make up any that you feel comfortable with and practice using them.

Become a skilful listener starts first with the intention to talk less and listen more. Learning to stop talking so much and to listen is a powerful step in loving ourselves and other people. In a world full of talkers, a skillful listener shines like the Hope Diamond.

Remember that we have two ears and only one mouth. So we are meant to listen twice as much as we talk!

Practice for the next few days. Identify someone with who you often do most of the talking. Now get really interested in them. Try to swing the balance toward them talking more.

Many times as we’re listening to another person, the things they say will emotionally activate us in some way. Their words may trigger excitement, sadness, fear or some other strong feelings in us. Such feelings can generate an uncontrollable impulse to speak, to override what the other person is saying in order to relieve our own internal pressure. This is an impulse that’s important to limit on the road to becoming a more skilful listener.

When we cut people off in mid-sentence or interrupt by finishing their thoughts out loud for them, we’re being disrespectful, and we could be harming our health! Dr. Paul Pearsall, the author of The Last Self-Help Book You’ll Ever Need, wrote, “Stop expressing, representing, and asserting yourself. Shut up and listen. Research shows that people who interrupt are three times more likely to die of a heart attack than those who don’t, and that (relationships) usually fail because of too much communication, not too little.”

When we interrupt, the message we send to the speaker is, “What I have to say is more important that what you have to say. It’s so important that I can’t contain myself enough to let you finish.” By learning to hold our tongue in daily interactions with people, and becoming genuinely curious about what others are saying, we greatly improve our listening skills and possibly our health.

I’ve seen that not only do masterful listeners not interrupt, they are in no hurry to speak even after the other has finished speaking! This gives people time to reflect and sometimes they find the have more to say. They feel that the other is really listening and their words now come from a deeper part of themselves. This spaciousness in conversation shows respect and interest in the other’s story and is a great gift we can give each other.

Practice for the next few days. Pay attention to how frequently you and other people interrupt one another in everyday communication. Take steps to reduce your own pattern of interrupting others. Try counting to ten in your mind after the person has finished speaking before adding your own comments. You might be surprised at how restraining the impulse to interrupt and speak helps deepen the connection.

Did you miss part one? Click here.

Here is a list of my favorite affirmations. If you wish you can try some of these, or make your own affirmations based on your unique life purpose, dreams and goals.

ALL I NEED IS WITHIN ME NOW.

All the joy I need is within me now.

All the knowledge I need is within me now.

All the peace I need is within me now.

This is the Happiest Day of My Life!

May I be a channel of blessings for someone today.

All is well.

I relax into my natural well-being.

The basis of my life is freedom, the purpose of my life is joy.

The universe adores me, as it knows my broadest intentions.

I love you (your name), I really love you. (this is a powerful one for many people!)

My actions are inspired and my resources are abundant.

I cannot die, for I was never born!

Life is easy.

All good things happen at the right time.

I change easily.

I was born full of possibilities and I can choose any option.

I can create instantly.

There is no difference to the universe between small and BIG, all is easy.

I am always poised and centered; harmoniously and intelligently I deal with all circumstances.

My desires are all the things that are the best for me and everyone else.

There is plenty of everything for everyone.

I am as powerful and deserving as anyone who exists.

My natural state is health and well-being.

I choose to depart from my body without pain or illness.

I am infinite being.

I am universal intelligence.

THERE ARE NO ORDINARY MOMENTS!

I am a genius and I apply my wisdom.

I am love.

I am truly happy to be me.

I am the most truthful, positive and helpful person I know.

I give something positive to everyone that I meet.

I flow with life and I am one with life.

I am right here.

I welcome the diminishment of ego when it happens without trying to restore it. Enormous power flows through me as I abide defenceless and empty.

I am filled with Divine Love and give it to all beings in all circumstances.

Joyously and continuously, I channel all my energy to the Divine.

I am always brimming with gratitude.

I choose to live, love and leave this life consciously and gloriously.

I now raise my vibrations to joy, love and peace.

I silently witness all change and vibrations.

I am the creative source of everything.

I am a giver, not a seeker.

I am free of all resistance, all judgments and all attachments.

I am free to love all unconditionally.

I am free, I have always been free.

May Thy will be done not mine.

As Thou wills, as Thou wills.

I am always surrounded by the most outstanding, wise, caring, innovative, inspiring beings in the entire universe and I am one of them.

I calmly witness all activities of body and mind. I know peace.

I (your name) take total responsibility for my life and for the world. I easily manifest miracles with the power of presence and loving intentions.

I free my natural genius to create my magnificent life.

I am quick to realize and release all unconscious patterns that limit me.

I am delighted to be leading a 100% complaint-free life.

I love as much as I can, wherever I happen to be.

I speak honestly and keep my agreements impeccably.

I ask questions, instead of making assumptions.

I always seek feedback for continuous improvement.

Life is a comedy show. I never take things personally.

I positively focus on my central life goals (mindfulness; love and compassion; gratitude and surrender; joyous service; radiant death).

Since my past is perfect, present is continuous and future is sublime….my life is Divine!

I ask wonder questions and live a wonder-filled life.

I look for things to appreciate wherever I go and I express my appreciation liberally.

My life is completely in the hands of the Dharma/Divine especially when I believe otherwise!

I love and empower all to be the best we can be.

I am committed to making a profoundly creative, positive and beneficial contribution to the best of my ability everyday and in every way.

I radiate a sublime strength from the Divine source within.

All omens are lucky because I see them as such; everything happens for my highest good.

I live each day as fully and joyously as possible. I imagine the best possible outcome for all plans/projects. I never concentrate on past or future unfavorable events.

I am free. I am love. I am compassion.

I am primarily a field of love and wise attention.

I like to do whatever I need to do.

Self-discipline comes easily to me; I am always self-disciplined.

I naturally focus on the positive aspects in every person and situation.

I love everyone, everyone loves me.

I naturally make positive health choices for myself everyday and in every way.

I accept my inner beauty and feel it radiate from me.

I am divinity in human form.

Divine life flows through every cell of my body.

Life is a joy – everyday beautiful things are happening and amazing surprises are manifesting.

I open my heart to allow miracles to flow into my life.

I (your name) connect with my true purpose to passionately release great enthusiasm and dedicated energy to easily accomplish astonishing feats for the benefit of all.

Forgiveness Affirmations:

1. Life is for-giving love!

2. I give you my love. I give you my heart. I receive your love. I receive your heart.

3. I release myself from all the demands and judgments that have kept me limited. I allow myself to go free – to live in joy and love and peace. I allow myself to create fulfilling relationships, to have success in my life, to experience pleasure, to know that I am worthy and deserve to have what I want. I now go free. In the process I release all others from any demands and expectations I have placed on them. I choose to be free. I allow others to be free. I forgive myself and I forgive them. And so it is!

I totally enjoy and look forward to saying/writing my affirmations each day!

AND SO IT IS!

“Affirmations” are positive statements, which you repeat to yourself. They describe your aims as if they have already been accomplished. For example “I am always truthful, positive and helping others”.

When repeated on a regular basis, such statements can transform the entire landscape of our conscious and subconscious mind (our thoughts, beliefs and images).

Affirmations were made famous by the French physician Emile Coue (early 20th century), who instructed patients to repeat positive healing affirmations to themselves while in a relaxed frame of mind. Thousands of remarkable documented healings occurred as he creatively combined western medicine with the power of affirmations.

Coue’s most famous affirmation was “Everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better.”

My friend Sunit gifted me the book “Heal Your Body” by Louise Hay, which uses affirmations to cure physical diseases. I experimented with it and the results were astonishing. People tried the affirmations I suggested to them (based on the book) and reported headaches, stomach aches, sprains, running nose, and even fever disappearing within minutes.

For a long time I was skeptical about affirmations. I believed that they merely added a new layer of conditioning over our confused minds and could not have a truly long-term transformational effect. Now, based on my own experience over many months and seeing their impact on others, I consider them powerful, beneficial and reliable tools for transformation.

True, affirmations are a form of conditioning, and cannot have permanent effects. However, even eating food does not have a permanent effect. Taking a bath does not have a permanent effect. Yet we do these things everyday because we realize that it keeps the physical body in optimal condition. Similarly affirmations are nourishing, revitalizing food for the intellect. And daily silent meditation is excellent food for the heart.

Can something as simple as positive self-talk help one live a happier, more fulfilling life? Consider this, research has shown that an average person talks to himself or herself about 50,000 times a day and 80% of this self-talk is negative! Well, if consistent negative self-talk can pull one down; certainly consistent positive self-talk can prove very empowering.

Everything we say or hear, we first experience before we understand. Positive or negative words and phrases actually trigger pleasant or unpleasant feelings within us. When repeated, such phrases can change our whole emotional tone.

We are already using affirmations – everything we say is a kind of affirmation because it reinforces our self created “reality.” This is especially powerful whenever we say “I am…” something…e.g. “I am forgetful/ angry/unhappy”. We are actually reinforcing these perceptions of ourselves each time we say it. Why not say instead “I am happy/peaceful/enthusiastic.”

We live in a conditioned realm and everything we experience here is interdependent. So perhaps the real question is not whether affirmations are conditioning or un-conditioning us, but rather whether we are conscious about what we are affirming anyway? Is it beneficial or not? The bottom line is, “How do I feel when I say or think like that?”

A careful look at any religion or spiritual tradition will reveal how they all use affirmations in one form or another to modify harmful beliefs and reinforce skillful ones. It may be in the form of a prayer, an oft repeated teaching, a catch phrase, reciting sacred scriptures and associated vocabulary, group chanting or even specific ways of greeting one another…these are all actually affirmations!

I wish to share an amazing story about the power of affirmations.

The following story describes one such incident – how one man discovered the power of his mind in creating coincidences. He went on to use this ability to become so successful that his work is almost a household name in America.

For the purpose of this story, let’s call this man Scott. His real name will not be revealed until the end to make this story more intriguing. This story was told in a book Scott wrote in 1998.

In the early 1980s, Scott had heard of a process called affirmations from a friend. The process he learnt was simple.

Visualize what you want and write it down fifteen times in a row, once a day, until you obtain it.

Scott was told that the process did not require any faith or positive thinking for it to work. Even more interesting was the suggestion that the technique would influence the environment directly and not just make you more focused on your goals. In other words, it would spawn amazing coincidences to move you towards your goals. The coincidences could be things that were seemingly unconnected to you and beyond your control.

Scott was very left-brained and logical in his thinking. He had his doubts about the process but figured that there was no harm in trying.

“Within a few weeks, coincidences started to happen to me.” wrote Scott.

“Amazing coincidences, strings of them. I won’t mention the specific goal I was working on, as it was a private matter, but within a few months the goal was accomplished exactly as I had written it.”

But Scott was not yet convinced that affirmations helped. Coincidences do happen on their own and Scott considered the test inconclusive.

So Scott picked another goal – to make some gains in the stockmarket. He wrote his affirmation down every day and waited for some inspiration. It came to him in a dream. He woke up one night with the words “Buy Chrysler” repeating in his head.

He bought shares in the inspired company during one of its most bleak periods, yet it began to rise soon after and he made some good returns on it. He repeated the experiment again and managed to pick another successful company, with stock-symbol “Ask”.

Armed with this confidence in the power of affirmations Scott decided to apply it to a more challenging goal – getting into the highly competitive Berkeley MBA program.

The problem was that he had already taken the entrance exam and only hit the seventy-seventh percentile score. He knew he needed to be above the ninetieth percentile to at least have a chance of being accepted.

Scott picked the outlandish target of ninety-four as his goal and again applied the affirmation technique.

Despite not being able to go much higher than the seventy-seventh percentile in the practice exams, Scott was surprised to learn that he did indeed hit the ninety-fourth percentile for the G.M.A.T – just as he had written in his affirmations. He graduated with his Berkeley MBA in 1986.

A few years later he tried pursuing a more serious goal: that of being a syndicated cartoonist. He knew the odds of his cartoon submission being accepted by a major newspaper were roughly 1 in 10,000.

He beat those odds and his cartoon was accepted. He was soon earning a decent living with his cartoon strip but he wanted to achieve something bigger.

He decided he wanted the most successful comic strip on the planet. Scott felt that the best measure of “most successful” would be number of books sold.

In June 1996 his book The Dilbert Principle hit the number-one spot on the hardcover nonfiction list of the New York Times. It stayed in the top three all summer. In November his second book, Dogbert’s Top Secret Management Handbook also made the bestseller list, giving Scott the number-one and number-two positions simultaneously for one week. For that brief period of time, Scott indeed had the “most successful” comic strip on the planet.

As you may have guessed, the person I’m talking about is Scott Adams, the creator of the highly successful Dilbert comic strip. Scott writes about these experiences with affirmations in his book The Dilbert Future. He does not profess to know why it works but leaves the conclusion to the reader. You can buy Scott Adams’ hilarious Dilbert books at any bookstore.

Scott Adams says, “Reporters often ask me if I am surprised at the success of the Dilbert comic strip. I definitely would be so, if not for my bizarre experience with affirmations. As it was, I expected it.”

(This story is from the website www.silvaultramindsystem.com).

Scott Adams’ experience with affirmations makes one wonder – is luck within our control? “

Reading this story that got me interested in affirmations about six months back. Since then I have had countless “coincidences” myself from using affirmations.

It’s really quite amazing how “what we think about and thank about, we bring about”! We are not merely a part of the universe, we are in fact leading edge participants in this unfolding universe.

So how can one use the power of affirmations for one’s benefit ?

Here are some guidelines based on my own experiments:

1) Affirmations should be stated in the present tense (“I am…”; “I can…”; “I choose…” etc.)

2) Affirmations should be stated in positive terms, which evoke the feelings of having already achieved the objective.

3) If possible, include at least one dynamic feeling word in your affirmations (e.g. joyfully) and one action word ending with “-ing” (e.g. deserving).

4) Keep affirmations specific, short and sweet.

5) Repeat affirmations often. Persistent repetition changes ones consistent thoughts, thereby changing one’s perception of reality.

6) Here are a few ways to repeat affirmations:

· Say aloud or silently 5 -10 times.

· Sing or hum affirmations while driving or any other idle time.

· Write down 10 – 20 times twice daily (like Scott Adams did so successfully).

7) Affirmations work best when:

· You can feel the emotional power of what you are saying in your body.

· You add visualization and can vividly see yourself living it and getting all the benefits.

· You release all desire and say them like they are already so.

· You say them soon after waking up and before sleeping; or when looking in your eyes in a mirror; or when gazing at sunrise or sunset set, after meditation, prayer, yoga, pranayama, yoga-nidra or deep relaxation etc. (These methods have a deeper effect on the subconscious mind).

Remember affirmations work without will-power. Add the words “easily” or “naturally” in your affirmations if you wish.

9) They work only when one wants the outcome 100%. If you feel hesitation about an affirmation, check for competing sub-conscious affirmations called “tail-enders.”

10) Some effective ways to deal with tail-enders are:

· Divide them into ‘aspects’ and apply EFT (visit http://www.emofree.com to learn more).

· Really feel the feelings (of resistance). Then simply release them. Allow them to flow out of your being.

11) Aim affirmations on yourself, not on changing others.

12) Occasionally say affirmations from a second and third person perspective for example “(Your name) you are…..” or “(Your name) is……” This makes it seem like someone else is telling us our good qualities and the subconscious mind has less resistance.

13) Add “….or something better” at the end of affirmations. This reduces fixation on specific outcomes. Allow the universe to surprise you with something better than you asked for!

14) Be patient! Try affirmations for at least three months before concluding that they do not work.

May you try and benefit from the power of Affirmations. May you live your highest life!

Don’t miss: Is Luck Within Our Control? Part Two (coming soon!)

Allowing Evolution : Esther Speaks

You will, eventually, in your human experiences, witness the fall of your intellect.

One who has witnessed the Source within becomes open to shifting/ascending… thus choosing to live in a paradigm of freedom, abundance and endless wonderment.

This however will not be achieved in one go. The journey involves many transitions, and each transition can be considered as an individual paradigm which forms part of our Final Destination (Ascended Reality).

How will you know whether you are moving forward? Well, it is not that difficult – sudden creative flow, universal signs, synchronicity, realisation of abundance, deeper connection with the universe, fulfilment followed by futility, a sense of multiple personalities and willingness to rest long hours – is the closest analytical comparison to graduating from one paradigm and stepping onto the other.

Eventually, the frequency of the Shift will increase and this will allow you to anchor for longer hours/days/ weeks in your final destination (the paradigm of your Ascended Reality).

Transitions are very necessary, though they may seem exhausting. They allow you understand the language of the soul and your coherence with universal symphony. Each transition will bring about immense transformation in the nature of your personal reality and further refine your connection with the Source. Your soul will learn to speak fluently.

This is where Alchemy transpires. Your presence begins to attract like hearted souls. Your presence begins to transform and transmute existential pain, dilemma and confusion into more creative empowering forms of energy.

Always remember, your identity too is existential. Your light, your connection with the Source, your merit is regardless of what seems to define you as a person or a personality. So even if you feel overpowered by past mistakes, dilemma or confusion yourself – know that immense transformation is in progress. Rest well. Keep your self well hydrated (drink pure water), grab hold of the one closest to your heart (be it your soulmate, master or a friend). Usually this happens when you are stepping onto another rung of the ascension ladder.

So what is the new paradigm? What is the new framework for intelligence?

The basic foundation of this framework, is allowance. Allow your thoughts to purify, your inner conflicts to resolve themselves. You will soon anchor out of your dilemmas and into a paradigm of endless empowerment.

You will then engineer intelligence. You will then code your own genome!

Everyday, a hunchback came and took away the bread. Instead of expressing gratitude, he muttered the following words as he went his way: “The evil you do, remains with you! The good you do, comes back to you!”

This went on, day after day. Everyday, the hunchback came, picked up the bread and uttered the words: “The evil you do, remains with you! The good you do, comes back to you!”

The woman felt irritated. “Not a word of gratitude,” she said to herself. “Everyday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?”

One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. “I shall get rid of this hunchback,” she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the bread she prepared for him! However, as she was about to place the loaf on the window sill, her hands trembled. “What is this I am doing?” she said to herself.

Immediately, she threw the bread into the fire, prepared another one and placed it on the window sill. As usual, the hunchback came, picked up the bread and muttered the words: “The evil you do, remains with you! The good you do, comes back to you!” The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman.

The woman had a son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him and she prayed fervently for his safe return.

That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak.

As he saw his mother, he said, “Mom, it’s a miracle I’m here. While I was but a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged of him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole bread. As he gave it to me, he said, “This is what I eat everyday. Today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!”

As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned bread that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life!

It was then that she realized the significance of the words: “The evil you do, remains with you! The good you do, comes back to you!”

Our actions and words are born from our thoughts. Every thought is like a seed with potential to give rise to more such thoughts again. This why it is so important to be vigilant of our thoughts.

When we think thoughts of harming others, it is like tossing a dagger at the sky. Sooner or later it falls back on us. When we think thoughts of supporting others, it is like tossing fragrant flowers at the sky. Sooner or later they return to adorn us!

A simple way to treat negative thinking is by considering such thoughts like a shepherd treats his wandering sheep. Firmly, but lovingly he brings the sheep back into the flock.

We can use the word “Cancel” in our mind every time our thoughts wander to subjects we do not wish to dwell on. It is a simple but effective remedy!

Just like the carpenter shapes wood, the wise shape their lives. Let us keep the powerful moral of this story in mind and mindfully shape a wonderful life.

“The evil you do, remains with you! The good you do, comes back to you!”

As both individuals wrap their arms around one another, their energy blends together, and they experience a tangible feeling of togetherness that lingers long after physical contact has been broken.

A “heart to heart hug” is when you put your left arm over someone’s shoulder and your right arm around their waist.

As they do the same to you, your hearts become aligned with one another and loving, comforting energy flows between the two of you to flood your being with feelings of love, caring, and compassion.

A hug is a pleasurable way to share your feelings with someone who is important to you.

Depending on your relationship with the other person and the kind of message you wish to send to them, a hug can communicate love, friendship, romance, congratulations, support, greeting, and any other sentiment you wish to convey.

A hug communicates to others that you are there for them in a positive way.

In an instant, a hug can reestablish a bond between long lost friends and comfort those in pain.

The next time you hug someone, focus all of your energy into the embrace.

You will create a profound connection that infuses your feelings and sentiments into a single beautiful gesture of pure love.

Peace and hugs to you.

To find out how other Ticklers and readers responded to these questions click here. If you would like to take this interview as well, mail us your answers at interview@tickledbylife.com. (we will publish only the best responses)

What is God?

Nithya: The “Grand Overall Design” or inherent intelligence that animates all things. God sleeps in the rock, dreams in the plant, stirs in the animal and awakens in man. We are at the leading edge of this adventure of consciousness – Gods rediscovering Ourselves!

God or the Big Bang? (or both)?

Nithya: There is no difference between the two. God looking outwards is the Big Bang. Man looking inwards is God.

God or Darwin (or both)?

Nithya: Both win. All perspectives are true, yet limited.

God or Darfur? (How can Darfur happen if there is God?)

Nithya: Darfur stirs anger and compassion in humanity. When what is stirred settles down, it can be seen that God is the harmony of opposites. Darfur is God.

Who is God’s God?

Nithya: The one who thought that thought.

Will the real God please stand up? (Why do we have so many religions?)

Nithya: He can’t, he’s rolling on the floor laughing.

Is this just a big lab and are we just guinea pigs and God just a researcher?

Niytha: God is the pig. God is the researcher. God is the discovery.

Does unexplained phenomena = God?

Nithya: That remains unexplained!